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Tom Reed,who previously covered the Blue Jackets for The Dispatch, is back after a five-year absence while working for the newspaper in that city up north: Cleveland. Follow him on Twitter at @treed1919

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Foligno Signs 3-Year Deal

Posted Jul 6, 2012
by Aaron Portzline

That didn't take long.

Forward Nick Foligno, acquired in a July 1 trade with Ottawa, has signed a three-year contract, $9.25 million contract with the Blue Jackets. He'll earn $2.5 million this coming season, $3 million in 2013-14 and $3.75 million in 2014-15.

The first sniff that the two sides were close came on Thursday, when Foligno -- a restricted free agent -- declined to file for his salary arbitration rights. By signing through 2014-15, Foligno gives up one year of UFA standing.

"To me, the three years gives us some time to build it up here and really become a good team. I know they don’t want to wait three years. They want to be good this coming season, right away. I know what it’s like, in Ottawa, to be picked as the last-place team and really surprise some people. It can happen. But three years gives us time to see it through,. To work hard toward a goal of being a really good team.

The Blue Jackets acquired Foligno in exchange for defenseman Marc Methot, adding some much-needed scoring potential for their top two lines. Foligno has averaged 14 goals per season over the last four seasons with the Senators. He had a career- high 47 points (15-32-47) last season.

Foligno drew mostly second line duty with the Senators. He'll get at least that with the Blue Jackets, almost certainly seeing some time on the No. 1 line, either as a center or a winger. He played second unit power play in Ottawa, but you can expect to see him on the No. 1 unit in Columbus. He'll also likely draw PK time in Columbus, something he rarely saw with the Senators.

"He’s gutsy, he’s competitive, he’s verstaile," Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson said. "More than anything, he’s just a good player. Where he fits will be up to the coaches, but we’re excited for him to be a part of this team."

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